The Norwegian island of Edoya, practically a speck of land among larger islands, has seen recent discoveries that confirm the important role it had in the Viking era, when it was the seat of local rulers.
In recent months, two new ship burials have been found, only about 150 metres apart, and believed to be about 1000 years old. Both were turned up by georadar (ground-penetrating radar) studies. An even larger boat burial was found several years ago near the Edoy Old Church, a prominent landmark.
Bjørn Ringstad, county conservator in Møre og Romsdal, told reporters that the ship burials emphasized the importance of the island in those times. “This helps strengthen our impression of Edøya as a power centre in the Iron Age,” because only the very richest or most powerful could afford to have a boat buried. “They took a ship or a boat with them into their tomb.”
The investigating team has also used the georadar to find remains of two houses and five burial mounds, where less powerful people would be buried.
Image: Georadar showing the boat. Photo: More and Romsdal county council
